What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of onions? It makes your eyes water, right? Onions produce a chemical irritant that stimulates the eyes lachrymal glands, so they release tears.
Onions are so popular that they are consumed across the world. They have a pungent taste and can be eaten either in a cooked form or raw. Onions are also used in pickles due to their strong taste.
Onions have antibacterial and antiseptic properties incredible health benefits. Now, let's check out the health benefits of onions that will leave you surprised.
1. Against Cancer
Red onions are the most common and effective ones in destroying breast and colon cancer cells. It contains high levels of quercetin and anthocyanin - the two compounds that provoke the cancer cells to kill themselves. These compounds make the environment unfavourable for cancer cells and this inhibits their growth.
2. Improves Heart Health
The red onions contain flavonoids that contribute towards heart health. They are also rich in organosulfurs, which prevent the risk of cardiovascular disease. Onions also contain thiosulfinates that act as natural blood thinners and reduce the risk of heart stroke.
3. Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Onions are known to lower the blood sugar levels due to their sulphur compounds. These sulphur compounds have beneficial effects on blood sugar. If you are suffering from low blood sugar, increase the intake of onions in your diet.
4. Promote Healthy Digestion
Onions contain fibre that acts as a food source for the beneficial bacteria in the intestines. This fibre when consumed helps your body to maintain good levels of healthy bacteria. Onions prevent diarrhoea and constipation and thus promote a healthy digestion.
5. Maintain Bone Health
Research says that onions can prevent age-related osteoporosis and there are certain compounds in onions that are known to reduce bone loss. Women who eat onions regularly have 5 percent more bone mass than those who don't, as noted by a study.
6. Prevent Inflammation
Quercetin, a compound in onions can help prevent inflammation. Onions also have the ability to treat different kinds of allergies. Onions have also been shown to reduce sinus, headache and nasal congestion due to their sulphur compounds which can break down the mucus.
7. Improve Immune System
Onions contain selenium that improves the immune system and stimulates immune function. Eating onions could boost up your immunity and fight against all kinds of infections. So, in order to keep your immune system strong, you need to consume onions.
8. Promote Respiratory Health
The anti-inflammatory properties in onion are also known to help asthma patients. People suffering with respiratory issues like asthma and allergies can benefit themselves by having onions. The anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe the respiratory ailments and bring a quick relief.
9. Improve Sleep
Onions contain prebiotics which are known to improve sleep and even reduce stress. The beneficial bacteria in the gut digests the prebiotic fibre and improves the gut health and releases by-products. These by-products are known to influence the brain function and induce sleep.
10. Good For Eyes
Onions contain sulphur that is good for the eyes. It improves the health of the eyes by stimulating the production of a protein named glutathione, which acts as an antioxidant. Also, the mineral selenium in onions supports the vitamin E in the eyes.